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Amazon to change pig 'swill feeding' advert
Swill feeding has been banned in the UK since 2001.
Move follows complaint by the National Pig Association

The National Pig Association (NPA) has welcomed a promise from Amazon to change an advert featuring a pig being fed kitchen scraps.

The advert in question is for the Amazon Echo Dot and has appeared in cinemas across the UK. In a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said the practice is classed as swill feeding, which has been banned in the UK since 2001.

She called on the ASA to remove the advert, ‘‘keeping ASF and other awful notifiable diseases out of the UK pig population".

A complaint was also made to the ASA by vet Duncan Berkshire of the Pig Veterinary Society to remove the footage "from all media immediately".

On Friday (3 May), the ASA contacted Duncan and Zoe informing them that they would be taking their complaints seriously.

The ASA wrote: "We think you have a valid point and, with a view to acting quickly, we instructed Amazon to change their ad. We asked them to remove the scene in question, and I’m pleased to advise that we have received an assurance from them that they will make that change should the ad appear again.”

Zoe said: "This is an excellent result. We are really pleased the ASA understood the seriousness of our complaint and reached the same conclusion. We also welcome what appears to be Amazon's promise to remove the footage from future adverts. And we hope this sends out a message to other media outlets and advertisers.

"We also stressing yet again how important it is that all pig owners adhere to the swill feeding - and that means not feeding kitchen waste, even if it doesn't contain meat." 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.